The by-products of the industrialisation of Brassica carinata can be used to feed animals. This artile reviews the characteristcs of the plant and its byproducts, giving also some basic outlines for its use as a feed ingredient.
What is B. carinata?
Brassica carinata is an oilseed plant of the same genus as ‘Rapeseed’ (Brassica napus), ‘Indian mustard’ (Brassica juncea), ‘Turnip’ (Brassica rapa) and the group of cabbages in general (Brassica oleracea). Unlike some of this species, B. carinata oil cannot be used for human consumption (see below), but it has other uses that make a particularly interesting crop.
⇒ In Spain, for example, it is used for two purposes: as a whole plant biomass to feed electricity generation plants, and as an oil producer for transformation into biodiesel. As biomass, the yields obtained range from 6 to 8 tons per hectare.
⇒ In Uruguay, the area planted with this crop has increased in response to the growth of the biofuel industry. It is being promoted by the forestry company UPM and accepted among producers, mainly because it fits very well within the crop rotation system. In contrast to other winter crops, such as wheat and barley, B. carinata is harvested early, by the first days in November. This means that the fields are vacant sooner.
Morphological characteristics
The structure of the plant is prepared to resist marginal growing environments. However, to obtain good yields, it is recommended to maintain adequate levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur in the soil. Brassica Carinata grows best in well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
Because of its pivoting root system, it has a great capacity to go deep, managing to cross obstacles and reach the deepest water layers. This is one of the reasons for its high tolerance to droughts.
During the rosette state of the plant, the development of green matter is amazingly fast. At maturity, the plant may reach between 1.20 to 1.50 m. The yellow flowers are formed by four petals in the shape of a cross. The fruit has a high resistance to dehiscence, minimizing seed loss during harvest.
Commercial importance
These biofuels, in contrast to fossil fuels, produce 70% less greenhouse gas emissions.
Use of Brassica carinata in animal feeding
As mentioned above, the meal obtained after oil extraction from B. carinata is a good source of protein. It contains 40 to 42% of good quality crude protein, and it could be fed to all livestock species. However, it is advisable to use it together with other ingredients, due to its high content in glucosinolates.
Glucosinolates are metabolites present in all species of the order Brassicales. They can be found in all parts of the plant, acting as a defense mechanism against insects, fungi, and bacteria. Unfortunately, the highest concentration is verified in the seeds.
The toxicity of glucosinolates, for livestock and humans, is associated with the formation of thiocyanate. This compound interferes with iodine trapping in the thyroid gland and the synthesis of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). Consequently, anomalies will appear in all tissues, including reproductive organs.
Among the most common symptoms of intoxication by glucosinolates, we find:
- drop in male and female fertility
- growth delay
- impaired productive performance.
Since Brassica carinata is of the same family as canola, these symptoms can be similar to the ones observed in animals ingesting feeds with high inclusion of Canola meal.
However, the inclusion of B.carinata meal the ration according to the recommendations per species (Table 1), can be a good alternative to the use of other oilseeds, such as soya and sunflower, especially when they are out of season.
Conclusions
This oilseed is a winter crop. It represents an alternative to other oilseeds, such as soya and sunflower, due to:
- its high oil production for the distillation of biofuels.
- the production of meal as a by-product of biofuel distillation, which can be used as a source of good quality protein to feed poultry, pigs, and ruminants.
- the possibility of using it in crop rotations.
- the high adaptability of the plant to adverse climates, especially dry season.
- the promotion of the utilisation of non-fossil fuels, reducing the greenhouse gasses emissions.
This article was originally pubished in nutriNews Spain, under the title Brassica carinata, un nuevo recurso para la alimentación animal